Georgia Athletics officials demand retraction from AJC of article on football program, abusing women

The University of Georgia sent a Demand for Retraction letter regarding coverage from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, specifically for a story written by Alan Judd entitled: UGA football program rallies when players accused of abusing women.

The relationship between the school and the news outlet has been interesting this offseason to say the least. The AJC documented the off-the-field activity of the football program’s student athletes involving incidents of reckless driving, head coach Kirby Smart‘s lack of accountability, and most recently sexual assault/domestic violence allegations.

The letter demanding retraction focused on Judd’s article listed above, citing disagreements and inaccuracies in reporting.

“Mr. Judd’s article is replete with errors, unsubstantiated allegations, innuendo, and possibly even fabrications,” the letter read in part. “We do not write to you lightly; we are accustomed to the rough scrutiny of a robust press, and we appreciate its central importance in a free society. 

“But this article stands out in its reckless disregard for the truth and its imposition of a damaging narrative unsupported by the facts.”

The central contention of the letter demanding retraction is the headline itself. Following the headline mentioned above, Judd added “Athletes often remain on team despite sexual assault, domestic violence allegations.”

Judd wrote that the AJC identified 11 players during Smart’s tenure as head coach who remained on the team after women reported violent encounters to police, the university or to both. However, the letter claimed the story identified just two players by name and another without naming him.

“Nothing this discrepancy and skeptical of the claim, we asked Mr. Judd to provide a full list of the eleven players that meet his description,” the letter read. “He initially responded he was away from his office without his files but would respond when he returned to the office.

“After repeated follow-ups, Mr. Judd refused to provide the list. He claims the AJC has a ‘policy’ not to ‘release unpublished information,’ although he has not provided a copy of or citation to this policy. Even if such a policy exists, the AJC did publish this information.”

Smart has held his tongue for the most part on his team’s off-the-field incidents as it relates to the AJC, but it will definitely be interesting to see how it is addressed at SEC Media Days starting on Monday, July 17.

The full letter demanding retraction, written by Michael M. Raeber, General Counsel of the University of Georgia Athletic Association, can be read HERE.